Attachable outer sole for boots and shoes.



R. M. WITHYCOMBE.

ATTACHABLE' OUTER SOLE FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY8. 1915.

Patented Oat. 5, 1915.

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MiZZflL'OIIZ Z6 mm:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT MORSE WITHYCOMBE, or SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUsTRA iA,

ATTACHABLE OUTER/SOLE FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

Application filed May 8, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT MORSE WVITHY; comma, a subjectiof the King of Great Britain, residing at Sydney, in the State of New South Vales, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attachable Outer Soles for Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in attachable outer soles for boots and shoes and has been devised with the main object of providing a ready attachment whereby the feet of the wearer may be maintained warm.

I have observed that hospital nurses,-shop assistants and others frequently have to stand for long periods on cold floors sometimes composed of bare concrete or flags thereby chilling the feet and causing serious ailments and my invention is principally adapted for use in such cases.

The attachments may also be used by bowlers and others for walking on greens or floors to prevent damage by the ordinary boots.

The invention consists of a comparatively thick layer or outer sole of felt rubber or other flexible non-conducting material, preferably resilient, provided with a metal, wood or other skeleton frame to preserve its shape. The layer or outer sole piece is secured to the frame by fastenings, stitching or other means or the frame may be embedded in the sole. The frame preferably has one or more stop pieces at the heel to assist in maintaining the attachment in position and straps or the like are preferably provided to readily fasten the attachment to the boot. When the frame is of spring steel wire or formed of sheet metal the projections may be inclined inwardly to obtain a grip on the edges of the ordinary sole of the boot and obviate the employment of straps. But in order that the invention may be more readily comprehended, I will refer to the drawings herewith, which illustrate a. convenient form of attachable outer sole.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a boot having my outer sole attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the outer sole partly in section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through an outer sole showing method of inserting and securing the frame therein.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ()ct. 5,1915. Serial N 0. 26,830.

Like reference characters denote similar like parts throughout the specification and drawings.

5. is a boot to which the outer sole ii is attached by means of the toe strap 7 and heel strap 8. These straps may be of elastic webbing and are secured to the prtjections or loops 9 formed on the wire frame 10. This frame 10 is preferably insertefd or embedded in the sole 6 in a slit as at 11; and the edges of which are stitched as at 12. The outer sole may be of thick felt rubber or other flexible material possessing some resiliency.

The straps 7 and 8 may end in a hook 13 for fastening to one of the loops 9 as shown. WVhen the frame is of wire or sheet metal it may be shaped to conform with the tread or surface of the ordinary sole of the boot, and, as here shown, when'of spring {wire the projections or loops may normally be inclined inwardly to grip the edge of the sole in addition to the securing straps 7 and 8.

The attachment, herein described, is light, noiseless in use, practically unobservable and have the effect of increasing the height of he wearer.

; aving thus described my invention yvhat I claim as new and desire to protect byiLetters Patent is: i

1. A detachable outer sole for shoes comprising. a sole piece of flexible material being formed with a slit in the edge thereof, a reinforcing member arranged in aid slit and co-extensive therewith, and mgans for securing said sole piece to the sol of the shoe. i

2. A detachable outer sole for shoes cbmprising, a sole piece of flexible material, a continuous reinforcing member embedded in the edge of said sole, loop portibns formed in said reinforcing member and projecting beyond the edge of said sole, and

means cooperating with said loop portions I prising a piece of flexible material tuilapted Q memes 10 portions of the bifurcated edge of the sole together, thereby embedding and securing said wire therebetween.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT MORSE WITHYCOMBE Witnesses CHARLES E. GRAHAM, HENRY W. CLARKE, 

